Governors/Local Academy Board

Angela Claydon – Chair

Co-opted

I was born and brought up locally and still live in Great Sutton. For 23 years I was a local councillor and served as Mayor of Ellesmere Port. I am a retired primary school teacher, specialising in Literacy and Special Needs, and have two adult children and five grandchildren. I have 35 years’ experience as a school governor and am also a governor at Whitby High School. If you wish to contact me, please get in touch with the school office or email chair@parklands.cheshire.sch.uk

Karl Burnett

Co-opted

I am a parent of a child at Parklands and joined the board in November 2023

Kim Cairns – Headteacher

I am very proud to be Parklands’ headteacher and to serve the Parklands community. I have always been impressed with the dedication and enthusiasm shown by members of the wider school community who put themselves forward to act in the role of school governor, and no more so than now. Working alongside governors is essential to ensure that the school continues to develop. I will provide a wide range of information for the governing board so that they can hold the school to account, check how well we are performing, and ensure that the school is moving in the right direction.

Anthony Dybacz - Parent

I have lived in Ellesmere Port all my life and have 2 children in the school: Year 6 and Year 1. I was a SEN teacher for fifteen years, specialising in Social, Emotional and Mental Health. Two of those years were in a primary school setting working with pupils that would otherwise be excluded from education.
My taught subjects were science and computer science, and I was IT lead in both Primary and Secondary schools. I have also been a SENco, an Exams Officer and a Safeguarding Lead in my education career.
For five years I was the Local Authority designated teacher, meaning I chaired multi-agency meetings and liaised with authorities and social care from all over the country to ensure young people were getting the correct interventions that allowed them to achieve.
Though I am no longer a teacher, I do still tutor young people that otherwise do not attend school.
I think that building relationships and understanding barriers to education and helping young people overcome those barriers is paramount.
I hope to bring my experience into Parklands as a school governor and work to assist the school so all our children can achieve.

Rebecca Kennedy

Co-opted, Vice Chair

My name is Rebecca Kennedy and I am a parent governor at Parklands.  I have two children in the school, my youngest is in Year 2 and my oldest is in Year 5.  I lived in Ellesmere Port from birth to around 7 years old, where I attended Parklands Primary school myself before relocating to Manchester. In 2009 I went to Edge Hill University to study ‘Keystage 2 and 3 Education in Mathematics with QTS’.

I graduated in 2012 with a 1st Class BA Hons degree. I moved back to Ellesmere Port when I graduated university and began my career in teaching. I am currently a secondary school teacher working at an outstanding school in Christleton. I teach Mathematics to students from year 7 up to sixth form. I am very passionate about teaching and inspiring young people; it is an honor to be part of the governing body here at Parklands, where I am able to make a difference to the lives of students outside of my own classroom.

James Latham

Co-opted

I am Strategic Lead for Asset Management at Four Housing and joined the board in 2022.

Karen Murphy

Co-opted

I am delighted to be given the opportunity to become a governor at Parklands Primary School. I have worked in the education sector for the past 26 years. Initially, as a mainstream class teacher with experience in early years and key stage one. Over the past 16 years I have developed my leadership skills as an assistant headteacher, deputy headteacher and more recently as headteacher of two mainstream primary schools. During my time working in schools, I have undertaken the role of staff governor, associate governor and headteacher governor.

I am currently studying for a master's degree in health, mental health and wellbeing at Wrexham University.  I am committed to the role of governor at Parklands primary school and nursery and look forward to working with the school community on a continued journey of success.

Emily Reid

Co-opted

I am assistant headteacher at St Bernard’s RC Primary School, the lead teaching school of Ignite TSA. I have worked closely with Parklands over the past 4 years within Ignite. It was through this partnership that I was invited to join the Parkland’s governing body on their journey of continuous improvement.

I am a Specialist Leader in Cultural Education and lead on two curriculum projects through Ignite TSA. One on conservation in partnership with Chester Zoo and the other around social justice with Action Transport Theatre. I am passionate about building school curriculums that enable children to thrive. I am looking forward to supporting the school in striving for their MAT vision: Enabling autonomous, outstanding academies within the MAT framework with a commitment to providing a high-quality education for all children.

Kirsty Stanley

Staff Governor

I have been working at Parklands since 2021 and I have a few different areas of responsibility at school. I am the Year Two teacher; PHSE subject lead and Design and Technology subject lead.  I love our school and became a staff governor as I want to ensure our children get the best from their time at Parklands. I have a particular interest in the mental well-being of our school community as this will enable them to be the best version of themselves.